Unity Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season

Unity Theatre produces four Main Stage plays, two Studio Plays, a Summer Musical for children, year round Arts Education programming and many other concerts and special events. This year Unity Theatre has again included a 5th main stage show with a Christmas production for the whole family (not a part of any main stage subscription package).

Professional artists from across the region will delight audiences this season with musical magic, intriguing stories, contemporary and classical comedy. Located in a charming, historical facility in Brenham Downtown Historic District we are in walking distance of great restaurants, shops, lodging and area attractions.

Come join us and experience the laughter, the drama and excitement of live theatre!

Unity Theatre was co-founded in 1995
by sisters Teresa Beckers and Gretchen Jones.
The same year it was incorporated as a non-profit organization,
and began planning productions to secure
community interest and raise financial support.

A Brief History of Unity Theatre

Unity Theatre was co-founded in 1995 by sisters Teresa Beckers and Gretchen Jones. The same year it was incorporated as a non-profit organization, and began planning productions to secure community interest and raise financial support. The first home of Unity Theatre was the former Brenham National Bank lobby at 100 South Park Street. The nearby Santa Fe Freight Depot was restored in May of 1996 to serve as a box office, storage for costumes and sets, and work areas.

The company’s first Main Stage show, Talley’s Folly, opened on February 9, 1996. As additional performances were offered, audiences grew. Unity’s third and fourth seasons brought many new subscribers and increasing numbers of professional actors and designers.

By the spring of 1999, Unity Theatre had become an important and well-respected regional theatre. In its fifth season, LeRoy & Lucile Melcher bestowed Unity Theatre with a gift of one hundred thousand dollars. This generous donation inspired other contributions from community members and served as a catalyst for growth and expansion. In the summer of 2000, the Board of Trustees raised private funds to purchase a historic building a few blocks from the original theatre. Built in 1906, the structure was a 23,000 square-foot warehouse that had been home to Schleider Furniture and Brenham Wholesale Grocery for many years. Renovation of the building took almost a year, with the help of many dedicated community volunteers and donors. The new Unity Theatre, located at 300 Church Street, opened on New Year’s Eve, 2001, with a grand masquerade party.

Today, it proudly stands as a reminder of the city’s past, and provides a valuable asset to the community. Now in its 24th season, and under the helm of Executive Artistic Director Kate Revnell-Smith, Unity Theatre attracts audiences and artists from Houston, Austin and beyond. Unity Theatre has a solid reputation as a dependable business and a proud community institution. With its growing attendance and high artistic standing, Unity can surely look forward to a secure and promising future.

2013-2014 SEASONYou Never Can Tell The Personal History of Rachel Dupree (Reading) First Night Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical Almost, Maine Laundry and BourbonDeathtrap The Emperor’s New Clothes

2005-2006 SEASONAdventures of Tom Sawyer (Community) The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)Cyrano The Christmas Schooner I Do! I Do! All I Need to Know I Learned in KindergartenThe Heiress The Odd Couple

2004-2005 SEASONThe Sound of Music (Community)Arsenic and Old LacePump Boys and DinettesThe Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Youth)Arms and the ManTuesdays With MorrieBarefoot in the Park

All of our plays and musicals are cast by the directors of each individual show, with the assistance and approval of the producing artistic director. Auditions are an important part of the process and we respect and encourage the efforts of all who seek to audition for Unity Theatre.

Audition Information

General Auditions General Auditions are held once a year and they are open to anyone interested in working at Unity Theatre. We also participate in the annual Houston Alliance auditions. General auditions for the 2018-2019 Season were held on Tuesday, July 31st and auditions for the 2019-2020 season will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 from 3-5pm at Unity Theatre in Brenham.

Auditions are by appointment only and to make an appointment please contact Alan Will, Production Manager, at alan@unitybrenham.org. Please bring a recent photograph/headshot and resume – you will be asked to perform two, three minute monologues.

Please note: if you attended the Houston Alliance auditions then we will already have seen your work and have you in our files – these General Auditions are primarily for talent new to Unity. Actors’ Equity Association actors are hired under an AEA special agreement, a contract negotiated through Circle Theatre of Fort Worth.

And Then There Were None Auditions

Unity Theatre is holding auditions on Sunday, November 4th from noon to 3pm for And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, directed by Kate Revnell-Smith. Please contact production manager, Alan Will, at Alan@unitybrenham.org for sides and an audition appointment – all roles are available.

Rehearsals begin February 28th and the play runs March 28th through April 14th, 2019.

Rent an area of the theatre for a memorable event… From dinner parties, meetings, weddings, or seminars, Unity Theatre offers versatile and beautiful spaces to accommodate a variety of events and groups.

Facility Rentals

Located in the heart of downtown Brenham, Unity Theatre is the perfect dramatic setting for your event. A renovated warehouse full of exquisite architectural elements, this venue is the perfect mix of modern and historic. Let your event take center stage! For more information or to rent our facilities, please contact Lisa Thomas at 979-830-1460 or email lisa@unitybrenham.org.